Find all real solutions. show work:
$${1 \over (x-1)} + {1 \over (x+2)} = 5/4 $$
I get to:
$${2x+1 \over (x-1)(x+2)} = 5/4$$
and don't know where to go...

Question

radar · Answer

I would at that point "cross multiply getting:

5(x-1)(x+2)= 8x + 4
$$5x ^{2}+5x-10=8x+4$$$$5x ^{2}-3x-14=0$$
Did you get the same?  Now you have a quadratic that can be factored.  Can you take it from there?

radar · Answer

I see you have left.
factoring you should get:
(x-2)(5x+7)=0

anonymous · Answer

haven't left. still cramming. lol

radar · Answer

x=2
x=-7/5

anonymous · Answer

i actually also got 5x^2 - 3x - 14 = 0 and then stopped. i should have just used the quadratic equation from there! sheesh! thanks!

radar · Answer

In this case, factoring was simpler than using the quadratic formula, although the formula works just as well.

anonymous · Answer

i struggle with factoring in this case. lol

radar · Answer

Yes, it does take some perspective to know if factoring is the way to go.
good luck with your studies.